Andrew Welch, 45, pleaded not guilty to one count of murder in El Cajon Superior Court Friday in the slaying of his wife of one year, Tonya, 43.

Several family members watched from the courtroom as Welch, who hung his head through most of the hearing, was arraigned via video conference. Sobs erupted from the onlookers as the prosecutor described the allegations against him.

Deputy District Attorney Scott Pirrello said Welch walked into the Santee sheriff’s substation about 1 p.m. Wednesday and told deputies he’d had a fight with his wife the night before, adding that he’d hurt her “really bad.” When deputies asked about sending medics to the home on El Nopal, Welch replied that she didn’t need medics, because he’d killed her.

Deputies found her lying facedown in a hallway. She appeared to have suffered a single gunshot wound that entered through her back and exited out her chest, Pirrello said. A .40-caliber Beretta handgun was found on a living room sofa, Pirrello said.

She also had minor contusions on the side of her head, although it was unknown if the injuries were related to her death.

Welch, who was on probation for prior drug charges, was ordered to remain jailed on $1 million bail. He faces 50 years to life in prison if convicted.